: Diet and Cholesterol - The single biggest influence on our cholesterol condition. Cholesterol was not a factor when Charles Darwin's proposed his theory "Survival of the fittest". He would certainly re-write his theory if he existed today, battling with the cause himself. Survive - we do: fittest -? that needs speculation, with half of the world population battling with a cholesterol condition. Our ancestors had lived most of their life feeding on fruits, grasses, herbs, nuts, leaves, roots, water , seeds, cereals and hunting meat which was often a daunting task without the four wheel drives and buffalo shotguns. Today, surviving, unlike our ancestors is not fighting with tigers, running after antelopes, or working the ground for roots. It is often fighting with ourselves that makes us weak. Of the fierce predators is the commonplace cholesterol which we find in abundance. Cookies, cakes, colas, chemicals, pesticides, chocolate, cool drinks, preservatives and the list could go on for a few hundred pages. Some people develop dangerous tumors. Other people have Cholesterol levels that are through the roof. For you, your diet and lifestyle is causing the condition commonly referred to as Cholesterol. This condition is simply a SYMPTOM of a very fundamental and dangerous imbalance within your body, and Cholesterol is simply the initial way it is manifesting itself in your body. The biggest influence on blood cholesterol level is the mix of fats in the diet. The most important determinant for cholesterol in the body is fat from diet. Though our liver produces 75% of cholesterol only 25% is absorbed from the food. For a high cholesterol condition, fats are of different types. Some fats are good for cholesterol levels while others are obviously bad. What are becoming clearer and clearer is those bad fats, meaning saturated and Tran's fats increase the risk for certain diseases while good fats, meaning monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, lower the risk. The key is to substitute good fats for bad fats. Your Body - a Breeding Ground Extensive research reveals that, proliferation of cholesterol in society is a direct manifestation of our changed lifestyles. When people around the world experience similar problems, it's not a random incident but a methodical process spreading across cultures and borders. The body is infected by acids: released from sugars, carbohydrates, excess fat and uric acid, found a plenty in modern day foods. Robert A. Young a leading micro-biologist, author of "The ph miracle" quotes: "There is only One Sickness and One Disease, and this one 'sickness' is the over-acidification of the body due primarily to an inverted way of living, thinking, and eating... there can therefore be only one remedy and treatment, and that is to alkalize the body and break the cycle of imbalance, thus allowing us to experience the energy, vitality and true health we're all meant to have." Cholesterol Reduction: Recommendations for Fat Intake Although the different types of fat have a varied - and admittedly confusing - effect on health and disease, the basic message is simple: chuck out the bad fats and replace them with good fats. Focus on the ROOT CAUSE that is causing your Cholesterol... choose fruits and vegetables that drive the acids out of your body, burn of the excess by maintaining a strict schedule of work-outs. The many drugs available promising to reduce your cholesterol are optimistic placebo which works well when you are distressed. Instead of "Medication" and "fighting the symptoms", you start thinking about "Health" and treating the cause with THE RIGHT DIET. This Article is Originally Published here: Diet and Cholesterol ( cholesterol-reduction. org/treatment/diet-cholesterol. html)

: Obesity is now being called an epidemic in the health community. In fact, it will soon be the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, even ahead of cigarette smoking. Obesity leads to type two diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke and even an increased risk of cancer. With all of these health risks, as well as the general improvement in the quality of life that can occur, losing weight is one of the best things that you can do for yourself. No matter what we would like to believe, there simply isn't a magic solution to losing weight. The body will shed excess fat when it needs more calories to function through the demands you place on it in a given day than the amount of calories that you feed it. It's that simple. So, in order to lose weight, you need to decrease the number of calories that you eat as well as increase the amount that you burn. There is a wide range of options to choose from when looking for a weight loss program. All of them often spend a lot of time explaining what to eat, in what amounts and even at what times or in what combinations.

But few of them emphasize the importance of exercise – not just for losing weight, but for your general health and wellbeing. Exercise is vital when trying to lose weight for several reasons:

First, as you start to eat less, your metabolism will slow down somewhat. Exercising helps to elevate your metabolism back to an efficient level.

Second, as mentioned, exercise burns more calories so that you can lose weight faster and stay motivated in your efforts.

Exercise doesn't have to mean spending hours at the gym or straining through exhausting workouts. In fact, in order for you to stick with it on the long run, exercising should be something that you enjoy. Start by increasing your activity level in an overall way. Take the stairs when you can. Park further from the mall door when you go shopping. Go for a walk in the park or through a neighborhood you love and bring a dog or a friend along for company. Take dance or martial arts lessons.

Once you become more active in general, you'll find it easier and more natural to move into regular exercise. Which you'll need to do eventually in order to get regular, noticeable health benefits. You need to raise your heart rate to a fat burning level and keep it there for at least 20 minutes, 3 times or more a week.

However, if you don’t want to go to a gym, there are other options. Videos and DVDs are now available in all kinds of exercise types. That way you can change your routine whenever you want so that you don't get bored with what you're doing.

Try a range of aerobics, kickboxing, yoga, or pretty much any activity you want right in the comfort of your own home. If you have physical limitations that would keep you off from exercising, you can still find a way to increase your activity level. Water aerobics is a wonderful option for those who have joint problems or limited mobility because it relieves the pressure on your body that your weight provides.

But you still get the resistance to challenge your muscles from the water. There are even classes and videos available that let you exercise in a seated position. Whatever kind of exercise you choose, it's important to stay motivated and keep it fun. Try gathering a group together to make it a social event. Or get a pedometer, a device that tracks how far you walk, and see how many miles you can walk a week. Make a competition amongst your friends or family members and treat the winner with something special (not food related!

). Make the experience of exercising something that you look forward to, and it will soon become a regular part of your healthier lifestyle.

Tell me, does this describe you? 'I tried a zillion diets in fits and starts and was never successful.' Just going on a diet will not give you a complete healthy persona. I finally paid attention to what everybody was saying, but I was too lazy to do. I added exercise and fitness to the equation. We also need to stay fit as well as diet to lose weight. Our true wealth is our health. Isn't it worth your time bring it into peak condition and maintain it? Diet fitness is all about an accurate mix of diet and an appropriate fitness program. This basically includes three levels of consideration: 1. Balance-A balanced diet must contain carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamin, mineral salts and fiber in well proportionate quantity. Carbohydrates are the source of energy so these play an important role in balanced diet. Intentional inclusion of all foods from fruits to vegetables and meats to grains. 2. Moderation - portion control, small quantity at regular intervals. I had to laugh when I heard the results of a 5-year study costing millions of dollars the government ran to find out why the population of the US is getting heavier. The results…they determined we eat larger quantities! 'Super Size it!' 3. Variation - wide variety in foods, means higher chances of complete nutrition. And variety in your workout routine means a greter chance of sustaining it. It is a well-known fact that poor diet leads to diseases, like obesity, even cancer and heart disease. The link between diet and physical fitness has well been established and recognized as a science in itself. It's the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity. How do you balance diet and fitness? What changes in your diet and fitness regimes will prove to be the most beneficial ones? These questions may have been on your mind for a long time but you didn't know where to start. I let the paralysis of analysis prevent me from getting started for a long time. I wanted the 'perfect' fitness plan. My advice? Just get started anywhere, but get started. There are the solutions at your doorstep. First and foremost, you need to ensure that the diet you are on, supplies you enough strength and energy to carry out the fitness training which means: The basic fitness diet should: 1. Have a wide variety of foods-- wholegrain breads and cereals for vitamins and minerals, leafy green vegetables for iron fueling, fruit for adequate fiber, lean meat and Fish (lowers cholesterol and helps prevent cancer) and low fat dairy products. 2. Enable you to have optimal weight and energy to carry out daily activities with ease. 3. Enhance quick and complete recovery during exercise. 4. Supply enough fluids to have maximum hydration. 5. Provide both short and long term benefits and ease of maintenance. When the above criterion is satisfied, you can confirm that you are on a diet that is not starving you or running you the risk of malnutrition and weakness. Fitness programs can include not only basic gymnasium but modern techniques like dancing, aerobics and yoga for variety and fun. If it is enjoyable it will be easier to maintain. Make no mistake about it, fitness regimes help you speed up the process of loosing weight along with the diet. That is the key, the magic diet accelerator. So eat healthy, exercise and be wise!

: Heartburn is a common digestive complaint which affects an estimated 15 million Americans every day, and 60 million once a month. Relief of mild heartburn is typically achieved through diet and lifestyle changes, although medication (eg. antacids) is usually necessary if the heartburn is caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). What is Heartburn? What Are The Symptoms? Heartburn is a digestive problem: it has nothing to do with your heart. It occurs when small amounts of stomach acid accidentally rise up the esophagus (the food canal running from the mouth to the stomach) causing symptoms like a burning pain in the chest which rises towards the throat. Sufferers may even taste the fluid in the back of the mouth, and this is called acid indigestion. In many cases the pain and burning sensation is relatively mild, but sometimes is so severe that patients think they are experiencing a heart attack. What Are The Causes Of Heartburn? In general, the immediate cause of heartburn is the acidic digestive juices which leave the stomach and rise up the esophagus. The acid burns the tissue of the esophagus causing inflammation and pain - a condition called esophagitis. Heartburn may also occur in pregnancy when the baby is pressing up against the underside of the diaphragm and squeezing the stomach. An occasional episode of acid-regurgitation or indigestion is quite normal. But persistent heartburn (eg. twice a week), is usually a sign of something more serious. The two most common underlying causes of heartburn symptoms are gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hiatal hernia. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease GERD is characterized by a failure of the muscular valve, known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is located at the bottom of the esophagus. The function of this valve is to keep acid in the stomach and prevent it leaking back up the esophagus. When this valve doesn't work properly, reflux (leak-back) and heartburn can occur. Factors that contribute to gastroesophageal reflux disease include obesity, pregnancy, smoking and, in particular, hiatal hernia. Hiatal Hernia Hiatus or hiatal hernia is a condition in which part of the stomach herniates (protrudes) upwards into the chest through the hiatus (opening) in the diaphragm normally only occupied by the esophagus. This puts extra pressure on the LES valve preventing it from closing properly. As a result, stomach acid leaks into the esophagus causing heartburn. The underlying cause of hiatal hernia is unknown. Contributory factors include: obesity, pregnancy, constipation, abdominal muscle strain, and smoking. Dietary Treatment For Heartburn In cases of persistent heartburn, dietary improvements are not sufficient. So as well as advocating a digestion-friendly diet, your doctor is likely to recommend one or more of the following types of medication. Antacids to neutralize the acid in your stomach; H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors to reduce acid production; or prokinetics to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter and expedite stomach-emptying. However, if heartburn symptoms are mild and occur only from time to time, usually you will be advised to make the following changes to your diet If Overweight, Switch To A Healthy Weight Loss Diet Obesity, especially excess fat on the chest and abdomen, is a common contributory factor to GERD and hiatal hernia, and therefore to heartburn. So if you are obese (BMI > 30), take steps to normalize your weight and thus reduce your risk or symptoms of heartburn. Choose a healthy calorie-controlled diet and customize it by following the eating tips below. Stop Eating Large Meals A big meal distends the stomach and causes a rise in the production of stomach acid. Both these factors lead to an increased risk of heartburn. So opt for 4-6 small meals or snacks, and allow a maximum of 3 hours between eating. In addition, choose foods that are "easier on the stomach" and more more easily digested. Avoid Acidic Food Reduce your intake of very acidic foods by avoiding items such as: tomatoes, tomato-based sauces, citrus fruits, rhubarb, gooseberries, unripe fruit, vinegar and acidic pickles or relishes. Cut Down On Fatty and Spicy Food Fried or very fatty foods, including candy, encourage indigestion and should be avoided or eaten sparingly. So go easy on butter, mayo, sausages, salami, pate, meat pies, and full-fat cheese. The same applies to very spicy food such as: black pepper, chili peppers, curry, mustard and other hot spices, as well as raw onions and garlic. Avoid Carbonated Drinks Fizzy or carbonated soft drinks cause belching and upward pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), increasing the likelihood of heartburn. The best drinks include: water, herbal teas or diluted non-citrus fruit juices. Please also note that some soft drinks (eg. cocoa, coffee, orange juice) are not helpful for heartburn as they can over-relax the LES, thus encouraging the backward flow of acid from the stomach. Eat More Fiber, Especially Soluble Fiber Constipation can lead to extra strain on abdominal muscles and increase the risk of heartburn. To prevent constipation, eat more high-fiber foods such as: oats, apples, pears, dried apricots and vegetables. When increasing fiber intake it's also important to increase your water intake by at least 40 fl oz a day. Reduce Alcohol Consumption Alcohol is not helpful to heartburn for several reasons. So take steps to reduce your intake to one unit a day, or avoid it altogether. Alcohol is also a source of non-nutritious calories and can contribute to overweight. Other Digestive Tips For digestive disorders like heartburn, some dietitians and alternative health experts recommend patients to eat (or cook with) digestion-friendly aromatic herbs like basil, camomile, caraway, dill, fennel, rosemary and thyme. They also recommend that you end each meal with a glass of herbal tea (eg. camomile, fennel) to reduce acidity and wind. Lifestyle Improvements To Reduce Heartburn There are several lifestyle changes that can help to reduce the symptoms of heartburn. One obvious one is to stop smoking, as tobacco smoke increases acidity in the stomach. Other recommended changes include: Avoid placing extra strain on your abdomen or chest. Wear loose-fitting clothes, and do not overstretch or lift heavy weights. Do not lie down after eating, and try not to eat anything for at least three hours before going to bed. The less there is in your stomach when you come to lie down, the lower the risk of heartburn. To minimize night-time discomfort, raise the head end of your bed by about 3 inches by using bed-blocks or by placing a solid object under the bed-legs. This helps to prevent stomach acid from leaking backwards into the esophagus. Do not use extra pillows - you simply end up with a stiff neck as well as heartburn! Heartburn symptoms can be caused by certain over-the-counter drugs, such as aspirin, or other pain-killers or anti-inflammatories. So if you take this type of medication regularly, check with your doctor or pharmacist that it's safe to continue.

: As a dietitian, the three most common questions which smokers ask me about diet and smoking, are: (1) Can a diet compensate for health damage caused by smoking? (2) What should I eat if I smoke? (3) If I quit, what type of diet is best to prevent weight gain? (1) CAN A DIET COMPENSATE FOR SMOKING? No diet or eating-plan, no matter how nutritious, can neutralise the health damage caused by the 850+ chemicals in tobacco smoke - many of which are carcinogenic. On average, if you smoke 20 cigarettes a day, you double your risk of a heart-attack and are five times more likely to suffer a stroke than a non-smoker. At 40 cigarettes a day, you are five times more likely to suffer from sudden cardiac death. Smoking is also the leading cause of lung cancer. Thus before we even start to examine an appropriate type of diet for smokers, my overriding advice is: quit smoking today! (2) WHAT SHOULD I EAT IF I SMOKE? For anyone who smokes, daily diet nutrition is critical. The damage doneto the body's cardiovascular and respiratory functions requires a constant need for extra nutrients. Even if you smoke 5 cigarettes a day, you have increased nutritional needs due to your increased risk of hypertension, atherosclerosis, emphysema and numerous cancers. As stated, a healthy diet will not prevent these health conditions, but it may delay their development. INCREASED NEED FOR ANTIOXIDANTS Tobacco smoke leads to increased levels of free radicals - cancer-causing agents - in the body and a corresponding need for protective antioxidants that can neutralise them. The main antioxidant vitamins are vitamin C and vitamin E (which works best in combination with the mineral selenium). Phytochemicals such as bioflavonoids and carotenoids (eg. beta-carotene) are also rich in antioxidants. HOW TO INCREASE YOUR ANTIOXIDANT INTAKE Use the following suggestions are a guide to minimum dietary requirements. - Eat 3-5 daily servings of deep green, dark red, orange of yellow vegetables. - Eat 3-5 daily servings of red, yellow, orange or green fruits. - Switch from coffee to tea, ideally green tea. - Each day, take 2 tsp of wheatgerm oil (rich in vitamin E) and 6 Brazil nuts (selenium). [Note: a serving is approx 1 medium fruit, or 1/2 cup chopped] SPECIAL NEED FOR INCREASED VITAMIN C One cigarette is estimated to rob the body of 25mg of vitamin C. Thus all smokers have a greatly increased need for this antioxidant-rich vitamin simply to maintain minimum levels. In practice, this need can only be met by taking supplements. As a general guide, I suggest you take 1 gram of vitamin C supplements per day. Choose a "timed-release" brand that includes a minimum of 100mg bioflavonoids. BEST DIETARY SOURCES OF VITAMIN C Fruits, such as: blackcurrants, papaya, guava, cantaloupe, elderberries, kiwi fruit, mango, oranges, strawberries. Fruit Juices, such as: cranberry, grapefruit, lemon, orange. Vegetables, such as: red peppers, green peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, tomatoes. PROTECTIVE CAROTENOIDS Carotenoids are pigments found in plants. All carotenoids are antioxidants, the most common example being beta-carotene. It is found in green plants (eg. spinach), as well as orange and yellow plants, such as carrots, sweet potato and melons. Clinical trials indicate that when consumed in foods - not supplements - betacarotene reduces certain precancerous symptoms. [Warning: for reasons which are still unclear, beta-carotene supplements actually increase the risk of disease (eg. lung cancer). Thus your intake of beta-carotene should come exclusively from food.] HOW TO INCREASE YOUR INTAKE OF CAROTENOIDS Use the following suggestions are a guide to minimum dietary requirements. Eat 4 daily servings of deep green, yellow or red vegetables, including: carrots, sweetcorn, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potato. Eat 4oz tomatoes daily, either in sauce or chopped. Eat 3 daily servings of colored fruit, including: melon, oranges, strawberries, mango, cherries. PROTECTIVE BRASSICAS According to research evidence, cigarette smokers who eat more brassicas have less incidence of cancers (eg. breast, colorectal, lung, pancreatic, prostate and stomach). As all these cancers are initiated by free radicals, it follows that brassicas may help to prevent other problems initiated by free radical damage and accelerated by smoking, such as: cataracts, emphysema, asthma and age spots. Brassicas include: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage (all types), cauliflower, cress, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, radish, swede, turnip, watercress. GARLIC AND ONIONS Garlic is a good source of unique antioxidants and contains anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Its anti-tumor properties are well documented. Onions, a member of the same vegetable family, have similar properties to garlic. MORE DIETARY TIPS FOR SMOKERS Reduce the total fat in your diet. At the same time, minimize your intake of saturated fat and trans-fatty acids. Eat regular servings of omega-3-rich oily fish (eg. salmon, mackerel, sardines). Eat healthy carbohydrates. Avoid refined white flour carbs, choose only whole grains such as, oats, brown rice, wholewheat pasta. In addition, choose foods rich in soluble fiber (eg. apples, oat bran). Eat healthy low-fat protein such as fish, lean chicken/turkey, or egg-whites. Include small amounts of lean red meat in your diet, along with regular servings of soy foods (eg. soybeans) and other vegetable protein. Reduce sodium in your daily diet. Check food labels and choose low-sodium or sodium-free foods. Also avoid adding salt when cooking or eating. As a dietitian, the three most common questions which smokers ask me about diet and smoking, are: (1) Can a diet compensate for health damage caused by smoking? (2) What should I eat if I smoke? (3) If I quit, what type of diet is best to prevent weight gain? (1) CAN A DIET COMPENSATE FOR SMOKING? No diet or eating-plan, no matter how nutritious, can neutralise the health damage caused by the 850+ chemicals in tobacco smoke - many of which are carcinogenic. On average, if you smoke 20 cigarettes a day, you double your risk of a heart-attack and are five times more likely to suffer a stroke than a non-smoker. At 40 cigarettes a day, you are five times more likely to suffer from sudden cardiac death. Smoking is also the leading cause of lung cancer. Thus before we even start to examine an appropriate type of diet for smokers, my overriding advice is: quit smoking today! (2) WHAT SHOULD I EAT IF I SMOKE? For anyone who smokes, daily diet nutrition is critical. The damage doneto the body's cardiovascular and respiratory functions requires a constant need for extra nutrients. Even if you smoke 5 cigarettes a day, you have increased nutritional needs due to your increased risk of hypertension, atherosclerosis, emphysema and numerous cancers. As stated, a healthy diet will not prevent these health conditions, but it may delay their development. INCREASED NEED FOR ANTIOXIDANTS Tobacco smoke leads to increased levels of free radicals - cancer-causing agents - in the body and a corresponding need for protective antioxidants that can neutralise them. The main antioxidant vitamins are vitamin C and vitamin E (which works best in combination with the mineral selenium). Phytochemicals such as bioflavonoids and carotenoids (eg. beta-carotene) are also rich in antioxidants. HOW TO INCREASE YOUR ANTIOXIDANT INTAKE Use the following suggestions are a guide to minimum dietary requirements. - Eat 3-5 daily servings of deep green, dark red, orange of yellow vegetables. - Eat 3-5 daily servings of red, yellow, orange or green fruits. - Switch from coffee to tea, ideally green tea. - Each day, take 2 tsp of wheatgerm oil (rich in vitamin E) and 6 Brazil nuts (selenium). [Note: a serving is approx 1 medium fruit, or 1/2 cup chopped] SPECIAL NEED FOR INCREASED VITAMIN C One cigarette is estimated to rob the body of 25mg of vitamin C. Thus all smokers have a greatly increased need for this antioxidant-rich vitamin simply to maintain minimum levels. In practice, this need can only be met by taking supplements. As a general guide, I suggest you take 1 gram of vitamin C supplements per day. Choose a "timed-release" brand that includes a minimum of 100mg bioflavonoids. BEST DIETARY SOURCES OF VITAMIN C Fruits, such as: blackcurrants, papaya, guava, cantaloupe, elderberries, kiwi fruit, mango, oranges, strawberries. Fruit Juices, such as: cranberry, grapefruit, lemon, orange. Vegetables, such as: red peppers, green peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, tomatoes. PROTECTIVE CAROTENOIDS Carotenoids are pigments found in plants. All carotenoids are antioxidants, the most common example being beta-carotene. It is found in green plants (eg. spinach), as well as orange and yellow plants, such as carrots, sweet potato and melons. Clinical trials indicate that when consumed in foods - not supplements - betacarotene reduces certain precancerous symptoms. [Warning: for reasons which are still unclear, beta-carotene supplements actually increase the risk of disease (eg. lung cancer). Thus your intake of beta-carotene should come exclusively from food.] HOW TO INCREASE YOUR INTAKE OF CAROTENOIDS Use the following suggestions are a guide to minimum dietary requirements. Eat 4 daily servings of deep green, yellow or red vegetables, including: carrots, sweetcorn, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potato. Eat 4oz tomatoes daily, either in sauce or chopped. Eat 3 daily servings of colored fruit, including: melon, oranges, strawberries, mango, cherries. PROTECTIVE BRASSICAS According to research evidence, cigarette smokers who eat more brassicas have less incidence of cancers (eg. breast, colorectal, lung, pancreatic, prostate and stomach). As all these cancers are initiated by free radicals, it follows that brassicas may help to prevent other problems initiated by free radical damage and accelerated by smoking, such as: cataracts, emphysema, asthma and age spots. Brassicas include: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage (all types), cauliflower, cress, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, radish, swede, turnip, watercress. GARLIC AND ONIONS Garlic is a good source of unique antioxidants and contains anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Its anti-tumor properties are well documented. Onions, a member of the same vegetable family, have similar properties to garlic. MORE DIETARY TIPS FOR SMOKERS Reduce the total fat in your diet. At the same time, minimize your intake of saturated fat and trans-fatty acids. Eat regular servings of omega-3-rich oily fish (eg. salmon, mackerel, sardines). Eat healthy carbohydrates. Avoid refined white flour carbs, choose only whole grains such as, oats, brown rice, wholewheat pasta. In addition, choose foods rich in soluble fiber (eg. apples, oat bran). Eat healthy low-fat protein such as fish, lean chicken/turkey, or egg-whites. Include small amounts of lean red meat in your diet, along with regular servings of soy foods (eg. soybeans) and other vegetable protein. Reduce sodium in your daily diet. Check food labels and choose low-sodium or sodium-free foods. Also avoid adding salt when cooking or eating. TAKE REGULAR CARDIO-AEROBIC EXERCISE No cigarette smokers diet-plan is complete without regular physical exercise. Working within your fitness capacity, gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts to about 30-45 minutes a day, on most days. For best effects on lung capacity and cardiovascular function, choose aerobic exercise such as: brisk walking, jogging, jumping rope, swimming and most sports. (3) CAN YOU PREVENT WEIGHT GAIN AFTER YOU QUIT? Yes, if you take proper physical exercise and eat a healthy calorie-controlled diet, you are unlikely to gain weight. However, in my experience, some weight gain seems to be inevitable. WHAT IS THE AVERAGE WEIGHT GAIN? Most smokers gain weight immediately after they quit. Current evidence suggests that the average weight gain for both men and women who quit smoking is about 6-8 pounds. The more you smoke, the higher the risk of weight gain when you quit. This weight gain is due to the decrease in metabolic rate and an increase in appetite experienced when you quit smoking. This weight increase is perfectly normal, and need only be a short term event. SO WHAT SHOULD I EAT? There is no single diet which will prevent weight gain once you quit smoking. Your best option is to focus on healthy eating combined with regular vigorous exercise (within your fitness capacity) and let Nature do the rest. As a general guide, follow these suggestions. First, cut down on caffeine. Nicotine withdrawal makes us jittery and nervous. So it's important to avoid coffee and caffeine-rich soft drinks which may increase this nervous tension. Second, increase your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables. Studies show that an increased intake of fruit and vegetables can help to minimize weight gain after you quit smoking. Eat them for snacks, add them to meals, eat them as starters and/or desserts. Eat them on car journeys instead of sweets or candy. Third, eat little and often. Avoid the temptation to linger over your meals. Get into the habit of eating smaller meals at more regular intervals. Aim to eat something, no matter how small, every 2-3 hours. This helps to maintain a regular rate of calorie-burning. Fourth, take steps to learn more about nutrition and choose nutrient-dense foods whenever possible. (See above for information about antioxidants, and healthy fats, carbs and protein.) WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO PREVENT WEIGHT GAIN? Make physical exercise a top priority in your daily schedule. Ideally join a gym or fitness center and get into shape. Research evidence demonstrates a clear link between exercise and weight control after you quit smoking. Choose both cardio-aerobic and strength-training exercises, as both play an important role in raising metabolic rate. Also, make sure you get enough sleep. Research evidence shows that lack of sleep may lead to weight gain, as well as an increased craving for cigarettes and food. TAKE REGULAR CARDIO-AEROBIC EXERCISE No cigarette smokers diet-plan is complete without regular physical exercise. Working within your fitness capacity, gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts to about 30-45 minutes a day, on most days. For best effects on lung capacity and cardiovascular function, choose aerobic exercise such as: brisk walking, jogging, jumping rope, swimming and most sports. (3) CAN YOU PREVENT WEIGHT GAIN AFTER YOU QUIT? Yes, if you take proper physical exercise and eat a healthy calorie-controlled diet, you are unlikely to gain weight. However, in my experience, some weight gain seems to be inevitable. WHAT IS THE AVERAGE WEIGHT GAIN? Most smokers gain weight immediately after they quit. Current evidence suggests that the average weight gain for both men and women who quit smoking is about 6-8 pounds. The more you smoke, the higher the risk of weight gain when you quit. This weight gain is due to the decrease in metabolic rate and an increase in appetite experienced when you quit smoking. This weight increase is perfectly normal, and need only be a short term event. SO WHAT SHOULD I EAT? There is no single diet which will prevent weight gain once you quit smoking. Your best option is to focus on healthy eating combined with regular vigorous exercise (within your fitness capacity) and let Nature do the rest. As a general guide, follow these suggestions. First, cut down on caffeine. Nicotine withdrawal makes us jittery and nervous. So it's important to avoid coffee and caffeine-rich soft drinks which may increase this nervous tension. Second, increase your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables. Studies show that an increased intake of fruit and vegetables can help to minimize weight gain after you quit smoking. Eat them for snacks, add them to meals, eat them as starters and/or desserts. Eat them on car journeys instead of sweets or candy. Third, eat little and often. Avoid the temptation to linger over your meals. Get into the habit of eating smaller meals at more regular intervals. Aim to eat something, no matter how small, every 2-3 hours. This helps to maintain a regular rate of calorie-burning. Fourth, take steps to learn more about nutrition and choose nutrient-dense foods whenever possible. (See above for information about antioxidants, and healthy fats, carbs and protein.) WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO PREVENT WEIGHT GAIN? Make physical exercise a top priority in your daily schedule. Ideally join a gym or fitness center and get into shape. Research evidence demonstrates a clear link between exercise and weight control after you quit smoking. Choose both cardio-aerobic and strength-training exercises, as both play an important role in raising metabolic rate. Also, make sure you get enough sleep. Research evidence shows that lack of sleep may lead to weight gain, as well as an increased craving for cigarettes and food.

Does it seem like no matter how little food you eat, you never lose a pound? You start your day out with an apple, eat vegetables for lunch and have a tiny dinner. You have all week, but you’re still the same weight. Why? It seems to be the first thought in someone’s mind when they decide they’re going on a diet: I need to eat less. The general rule is eat less and exercise more. In all actuality, this will do nothing but cause you to gain weight and become fatigued. When you eat less your body believes that it is being starved and will hoard every fat cell it can. It will do whatever it takes to keep these fat cells and no matter how many calories you burn, you won’t lose weight. Your metabolism slows greatly. Your body is in starvation mode. People who start these diets will quickly end them when they realize they aren’t losing weight and they will return to their normal eating habits. Because the body still thinks it is in starvation mode, it will hoard all the fat cells of which there is twice the amount being eaten now, and the dieter will actually gain more weight back than they lost. This will prompt another diet and the process begins again. This is called a “yo-yo diet.” The number way to avoid yo-yo dieting is to see a nutritionist. They will create a proper diet plan tailored to your needs and they have all the know-how to create a healthy and safe diet. Diets are not about eating less, they’re about eating better. A nutritionist will help you balance what types of food you’re eating, when you’re eating and how much you’re eating. The second way to avoid yo-yo dieting is proper exercise. It is recommended to visit a personal trainer in order to receive a personalized workout plan to properly introduce you to regular exercise and muscle building. It is also imperative to ignore diet pills at all costs. Eating better, not less, and exercising properly will lead you to weight loss!

With the obesity epidemic that is going on today, a diet patch seems like it could be a miracle cure. A diet patch is a small self-adhesive square something like a bandage that you place somewhere on your body that is supposed to help you melt the pounds off by suppressing the appetite and increasing the metabolism. Often the ingredients are the same as those found in weight loss pills, but the ingredients in the patch enter the body through the skin. Sticking on a diet patch sounds convenient and easy, but are diet patches too good to be true? There are very few diet, weight loss, or fat burner products that actually work well. There has been several major diet patch scams in the news lately. These scandals have made people question whether diet patches or even patches in general are effective at all. There is no doubt that some kinds of patches work well. Many prescription medicines are now administered in patch form, as well as nicotine transdermal patches, which are given to people who are trying to quit smoking. The skin on our body is actually an organ that enables some things to enter the body, and blocks others. There are capillary networks in the skin that allow certain substances to enter the bloodstream. These networks can help deliver medications found in the patches. According to scientists, some drugs have the right properties to penetrate the skin and are potent enough to be effective at low doses. These drugs, such as the drug scopolamine, used to treat motion sickness, can be delivered transdermally (through the skin). Technical advances in the last 20-30 years are making patches a much more common form of medicine delivery, and many are saying that it will be the method choice for the future, because they have controlled-release. Instead of dumping a high concentration of the drug into the blood stream at once, which then slowly drops to a very low level at which time the patient takes another dose, a controlled-release system, such as a patch, keeps the drug at a constant and safe level in the blood stream. So, while patches can be an effective form of delivery for medicines and even herbs, the question still persists, do diet patches work? The answer all depends on what ingredients are used and how they are prepared. Each company's diet patch is different. As we can tell from all the diet patch scandals, many are totally ineffective because of the way they are manufactured or the herbs and ingredients used in them. Be very careful before you purchase any diet patch. There are diet patches that are very effective, as many people who have lost weight with them can tell you. But a diet patch alone, without any change in a poor diet or unhealthy lifestyle, will probably have little effect. On the other hand, a good diet patch could possibly be just the incentive a person needs to make the changes to a healthier lifestyle that promotes weight loss-- by adding energy, suppressing the appetite, and spurring the metabolism into action. If you are looking for more information about a safe and effective diet patch that has proven to help thousands of people lose weight, check out the website at jenfe-diet-patch It may just be the thing you needed to help you start losing weight.

When buying diet pills, there are a couple of different ways to go about it. Some pills are only available by prescription, while others can be purchased over the counter (OTC). There are several different types of weight loss supplements, which will be discussed in the following few paragraphs. Some of the more popular prescription drugs are: Bontril, an appetite suppressant; Xenical, a pill which helps the body absorb fat; Meridia, a supplement that encourages your body to shed pounds, and Phentermine which is easily the most popular appetite suppressant in the United States today. Whereas prescription drugs are available only from a licensed physician, over the counter supplements can be purchased by anyone and contain such ingredients as amino acids, vitamins, minerals, botanicals, herbs, etc. They typically come in capsules, powder, and pill form but are not a substitute for proper diet and exercise. When combined with a healthy well balanced diet and exercise, these pills can be effective in helping you lose weight. When purchasing any weight loss supplement, it is important to speak with your doctor beforehand. When buying an OTC supplement, it is especially important that you check the ingredients, and read the labels carefully. Some serious side effects can occur when using drugs with Ephedra in them, such as arrhythmia, heart valve lesions, and high blood pressure. Fortunately, Ephedra is no longer widely available. Even the most popular weight loss supplements can cause problems, with or without Ephedra present! High doses of caffeine (which many weight loss products have) have been known to cause problems with the heart, and still other drugs are under the suspicions of the FDA. The bottom line when taking any supplement designed to expedite weight loss is to check the ingredients list carefully, make sure it will not react with any other medications you are taking, and speak with your doctor before going on any weight loss plan. It should be noted that even weight loss drugs prescribed by a physician carry risks. If a doctor has prescribed a supplement for you, generally they feel that the benefits outweigh the risks but that does not mean it is safe. You must always follow instructions exactly as prescribed, and stop taking them immediately if you notice any unusual symptoms. Even prescription drugs must accompany a healthy diet and exercise to work. Contrary to what diet pill manufactures want you to believe, no one pill is going to make you lose weight. It takes time and effort, and only a willingness to invest in both will ensure success. If you are serious about losing weight and would like to purchase a weight loss supplement to aid you in your goal, make sure to incorporate a well balanced diet and exercise into your plans. Buying diet pills can be beneficial to your weight loss plans, but only if you are smart about your lifestyle choices.

Following is a real life account of an obese person who was about to die due to his overweight and related diseases. The story is how he got rid of the problem of obesity. We are bringing the story here with the hope that definitely the story will encourage people to lose extra weight and become disease free. Let us read the story in his own words. Hello! I am an ordinary citizen and actually no story is generally written by any one about an ordinary person like me. However still I am writing my experience with the hope that this may encourage others to fight the curse of obesity. Even a few years back, I was an obese person. Actually my obesity started from my child hood. It is true that 40 percent of teen age boys and girls in America are overweight and obese. I was also among one of them during my childhood. My body weight continued to increase abnormally compared to my age and height as I grew older. At my age below 25, my body weight increased to an alarming level. This overweight made me slow, not so smart and lazy. I felt always difficulty in breathing. My blood pressure increased unnecessarily. Also there were some symptoms of type-2 diabetes in my system. Really I was scared and could not find any way to get rid of my problem of overweight. Also my sexual power was reducing day by day and I felt ashamed to my beautiful wife for not being able to satisfy her sexual desire. I was thinking to adopt some weight loss programs with regular exercise by visiting Gym and take a session under the instruction of an experienced person. However, I saw the program was too rigorous to adopt. So I did not join and this made me very much upset and I thought that there was no respite from my excess weight which would ultimately kill me in my immature age. I heard the name of Phentermine diet pills. But I was not sure about their effectiveness as there were floods of advertisements in TV and Internet about cheap Phentermine diet pills and I thought all bogus. But when I felt that my body weight would kill me one day and seeing no other way, I took the advice of a doctor who prescribed me to buy Phentermine diet pills. He assured me that everything was not bogus. Actually phentermine diet pills are prescription drugs and should be taken through a prescription of an experienced doctor. There are some suitability criteria for Phentermine diet pills and there are some side effects of it which should be closely monitored by a doctor. The doctor also advised me to take controlled amount of balanced diet with some light exercise during morning and evening which were suitable for me. Seeing no other way, I followed the doctor’s advice and started my weight loss program with Phentermine diet pills, balanced diet and regular exercise. After a few weeks I felt the real miracle. My body weight started to reduce. My joy knew no bounds. I was so excited and thrilled to see my body weight reduction! This encouraged me to adopt a bit more rigorous exercise with the advice of my doctor and my body weight gradually came to the accepted level without disturbing other functions of my body. At present my body is perfectly fit. All my symptoms of weight related disease disappeared as soon as my body weight came down. I want to warn people that you may get spam mails from internet stores regarding Phentermine online. You should not be enticed to buy Phentermine online although they appear to be cheap. First be sure about their effectiveness then buy Phentermine through the Internet stores.

So if diet pills work and I am overweight, why shouldn’t I use them to get myself back to where I want to be? The truth is that we live in an obese society. With that being the case, then it stands to reason that the business of losing weight is big. We are all busy, so we want the easy way out, the quick fix, and to lose those extra pounds without having to disrupt our busy lives. Diet pills seem to be an easy answer, so why not give them a try? Well there are actually two big reasons: harmful side effects and addiction (physical and emotional). The biggest reason that the dangers on diet pills exist is that they are not really regulated. The law does not require a diet pill to be tested by the FDA before release to the public. The FDA will pull a diet pill product from the shelves if it shows to be dangerous, but by then you may already be taking that particular drug. So what are the side effects that can result from this lack of regulation? Diet pills generally do one or two of a few things: they may suppress appetite, increase metabolism, block fat absorption, or even make use of laxatives to flush the body of waste and fluid. The chemicals in the diet pills that helps them accomplish these things have been known to cause varying side effects. Some of the best known of these are anxiety, insomnia, heart palpitations or attacks, stroke, fever, dry mouth, blurred vision, hair loss, disturbance in sex drive and menstruation, urinary tract problems, digestive problems, and even congestive heart failure. There are numerous others as well, so the risks can be high when it comes to side effects with diet pills. The other danger with diet pills is addiction. The chemicals and drugs used in the pills can very often cause physical addiction. On the other hand, if they pills do work, even to a small degree, emotional addiction can follow. You may think that you cannot keep your weight or even live without the pills and can find yourself in the midst of complete dependency. When there are side effect problems in conjunction with dependency, there are overdose risks as well. In the rush to lose as much weight as possible as quickly as possible, you might be tempted to take more diet pills than is recommended. The result can be convulsions, hallucinations, breathing difficult, or even a heart attack. It is important that if you feel or have any of these symptoms that you get medical attention promptly. The risk of using diet pills is varied and high. Without regulation and with the high availability, those seeking an easy fix to a large problem may end up jumping from pill to pill, ending up addicted, or suffering terrible side effects. What many don’t realize is that the only proven way of keeping weight off for a sustained amount of time is through a balanced diet and exercise.

With today’s corporate marketing firms, specialized nutrition companies are really selling the powerful weight loss elements that their newest product contains. But what is true and what is false? And does there really exist a magical weight loss pill. The answer may surprise you. For the past 10 years or so, I’ve taken all sorts of diet pills and “systems” to help with my own weight loss. What I’ve come to determine is that yes, some pills were work BETTER with your body structure than other pills. For me, personally, my body reacted quite well to a combination of ephedra, synephrine, and caffeine. Sometimes I would add aspirin to the mix as well so as to thin my blood out so that the effects of the pills would become more apparent, faster. But before the ephedra rage, other diet pills also worked. For the most part I attributed it to the caffeine contained in the pills. I’m not a coffee drinker, so my body more readily was affected by the sudden boost in thermogenics. But, I really did well with the pills when I used them in combination with exercise and proper eating. No, I don’t mean ordering LESS when you eat out, but changing the way you look at eating. Let’s face it, just because we order a diet coke doesn’t mean we’re eating better. Drinking water is eating better (well, drinking that is). By forcing your body to adapt to new eating patterns, increasing your cardiovascular activites, AND supplementing with some kind of thermogenic pill, you could definitely benefit from all of them combined. It’s like the team concept. Sure, you could have a star quarterback, but he needs someone to throw too..the receiver! And who tells the quarterback which plays to call? The coach! By themselves, sure they’re good at what they do, but all together they’re awesome. Just something to think about in the grand scheme of being healthy. And another thing to consider - diet pills may or may not be for you. Only your doctor can say for sure whether something is healthy for you take based on the physical condition you are in. If you need any support or have any questions that need to be answered, don’t hesitate to stop by my official website - dietdiscussions . We’re a friendly bunch would be happy to help you out. Take care!